SEATTLE, WA–The Sounders had been one of those few teams where the road form (29 points) had been better than their home form (22 points coming in). An emphatic first half by the hosts put the Sounders back top of the West with a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids who now find themselves six points out of top spot in the West in third and now have a Portland Timbers side fast approaching them just two points behind. The loss also ends the Rapids’ 12-match unbeaten streak.
It took just ninety seconds for the Sounders to get on the board as Cristian Roldan blasted one past Clint Irwin. On 22 minutes, the Sounders doubled their advantage with a brilliant team goal as Roldan came down the flank, crossed to Joao Paolo who set up Jimmy Medranda to beat Irwin near post.
Then, Joao Paolo turned scorer with a brilliant sixty-run through the Rapids’ defense culminating with a finish past Irwin to make it 3-0 just before halftime.
The Rapids’ night went from bad to worse after seeing Lucas Esteves sent off in the 61st minute for a challenge on Joao Paolo that the referee deemed too dangerous. They later had a goal disallowed in the 75th minute for offside.
Both teams will be playing during the international break with the Sounders hosting Vancouver on Saturday and the Rapids at Minnesota United on Sunday.
Melissa Levin has the photos from the match on Sunday. You can view a sample below and more by clicking on the link:
